Barnacle Restaurant Inc — Restaurant in Marblehead

Wait!Stop! Don't blink or you'll walk right past this Marblehead gem. I have visiting the Barnacle since I was a kid ( and I is old now ). I hadn't been in about 30 years and when my dad passed I returned the the land of my nostalgia. Weepy eyed and hungry I walked in the quaint seaside eatery that was a very cozy, locals -type friendly atmosphere. Wanna Pint? Sit at the old wooden bar. Wanna a Waterview? Cozy up the the window benches and follow the tide, seagulls and other waterbirds. Wanna bring the fam? Tables nestled closely together provide a family pub atmosphere. Food was fresh and hot. The clamped steamers (pricey) but super fresh with clarified butter and wash water, huge tossed salad were just what the doctor ordered for this trip down memory lane. Server knew my sad story and was exceptionally helpful, supportive and kind, I bet she's that way anyway. So any cautions? If you need space to maneuver wheelchair or baby items, call ahead so they can arrange space. Since this tiny tavern is 75 yrs old, bathrooms are NOT Ada friendly. Parking is down the street and limited at best. Overall pack up the kids and car for a nice weekend drive and enjoy the best taste of fresh and...

With the exception of the seafood chowder, which was good, not one of the five people in our party liked the taste of our food. It was not over cooked or undercooked; it was just tasteless. There was no seasoning on it, no salt, pepper, special house seasoning, NOTHING! That was true of the steaks, the combo fish platter, the fish and chips. Maybe tasteless and bland is how New Englanders like food and I am out of touch with the local fare but it was a huge disappointment as far as I am concerned. On a positive note of two, the waitress was friendly,patient and helpful. I would hire April in a NY second. I usually do not offer my opinion in situations like this, I just leave and never return. But, they asked if we enjoyed it and I told them the truth for me. They offered a free dessert which was kind but I did not go there for a dessert and candidly did not care to try anything else. Now, a tiny suggestion to the kitchen staff. Season your food. A little salt and pepper before you cook the steak and when the fried food comes out of the deep frier or in the flour mix could mean the difference in a poor and an excellent experience...

I very rarely rate restaurants less than 5 stars but I just couldn’t do more than 3 for the Barnacle. A friend and I ate there about a week ago. We were told it would be a 20-30 min wait and to stand in the bar area or outside and they would come get us. After 40 min I went back inside and they had struck our name off the list. They said they yelled twice (down the hallway) but they were too busy to step outside (despite their instructions). They corrected the issue by getting us a table immediately, thankfully.

I ordered clam chowder and a lobster roll. The chowder wasn’t super hot but was tasty. The lobster roll was just….not good. I should have listened to some other negative reviewers. I’d ate 7 lobster rolls in a weeks period traveling through Maine by that point and this one was by far the worst. They don’t mix the mayo and lobster here like every other restaurant. The mayo blob was just too much. I wish I had asked for a bowl to mix the ingredients myself honestly.

The atmosphere was lovely. I think I would have had a better experience with another dish and on a...